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Thu, 17 Aug 2017 12:44:09 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.5https://i0.wp.com/www.adventurepatches.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/AP-Logo-square-500x500-550cf5e5v1_site_icon.png?fit=32%2C32Adventure Patcheshttp://www.adventurepatches.com
323287400503Huanglong Cavehttp://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/08/17/huanglong-cave/
http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/08/17/huanglong-cave/#respondThu, 17 Aug 2017 12:44:09 +0000http://www.adventurepatches.com/?p=11620After hiking down Tianzi Mountain in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, we still had some evening hours left, so we went to Huanglong Cave (Yellow Dragon Cave). This cave system is part of the UNESCO World Heritage designation and is very … Continued

]]>After hiking down Tianzi Mountain in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, we still had some evening hours left, so we went to Huanglong Cave (Yellow Dragon Cave). This cave system is part of the UNESCO World Heritage designation and is very accessible from Wulingyuan. We just had to ride a city bus (route 1) for about 20. We didn’t know what to expect at the caverns, but having been to Chinese caves before we had an idea of colored lights, people touching formations, and loud groups. And, that’s what we got.

Going into the Cave

Entering the cave is done in large groups of more than 100 people following a tour guide with hip-mounted speaker. Naturally, we hung back after going in for the group to get ahead. Unfortunately, another group entered very quickly on our tails and we were sandwiched between loud hordes.

The cave opens almost immediately into a very large space. That is one of the impressive things about this cave system, many of the rooms are vast halls. However, there are few formations such as stalactites or stalagmites. While they may have been harvested, it appears that many may have been damaged by cave-ins, which there is ample evidence for all around.

Unexpected surprise

After a few large spaces, the groups led to a point with water. In fact, they have dammed a small underground stream to make more of a river. This is where you board boats. I had never been on a boat inside a cave before, so this was kind of exciting. We had to wait a while to get on a boat, but then we were whisked off to the far end of the caves passing a carved dragon head that everyone excitedly oohed and awed over.

At the docking location, we again had to follow a large, bumbling mass of people led by a tour guide with loud speaker. It only soured the experience.

Living Cave No More

This cave could be spectacular. Unfortunately, man has gotten his greedy hands on it and has ruined it. I’m not just talking about the people who blatantly disregard the signs saying don’t touch the formations (this damages the formations by putting oils on the stone and stopping or diverting the flow of water that creates them) or the people who sneak a smoke inside. I’m also talking about the diversion of water in several locations and the building of infrastructure in the middle of massive formations.

Soon after getting off the boats, the tour leads to a massive hill that should have been flowing with water that was trickling down from the ceiling. However, the water has been diverted by the concrete path and other things causing much of the formation to be dry.

A Garden of Stone

Towards the end of this tour, we had managed to avoid the group as best we could getting behind and in front of other groups all along the way. This is also when more cave formations are experienced including a garden of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. Some of them are several meters tall. This was the best part of the caves. The groups had thinned a little and the scenery was more spectacular.

Outside the Cave

The area outside the cave is an interesting tourist area. Like many of these places in China, there are shops to be found. Unlike many of these places in China, there is much more including some lovely gardens, art installations, and educational exhibits.

If you have the time, a meander through the area can be lovely. One of the highlights is to see the endangered giant salamander, which is indigenous to this region. The water wheel art is also very fun to watch.

Huanglong Cave shouldn’t be at the top of your list when in the Zhangjiajie area, but if you have time, it may be worth a visit. They allow the last group to enter the cave at 6:00 p.m., but you can stay in the cave until 9:00 p.m. This is a good option when you’ve finished in the national park and want something to do in the evening.

]]>http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/08/17/huanglong-cave/feed/011620Day 2 in Zhangjiajie – Tianbo Mansion and Ten-Mile Galleryhttp://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/08/15/day-2-in-zhangjiajie-tianbo-mansion-and-ten-mile-gallery/
http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/08/15/day-2-in-zhangjiajie-tianbo-mansion-and-ten-mile-gallery/#respondTue, 15 Aug 2017 15:31:46 +0000http://www.adventurepatches.com/?p=11603Our second day in Zhangjiajie took us back up the mountain to do some more hiking around the Yuanjiajie Scenic Zone and the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Zone. Both were recommendations from our hotel. Tianbo Mansion Tianbo Mansion is a set … Continued

Our second day in Zhangjiajie took us back up the mountain to do some more hiking around the Yuanjiajie Scenic Zone and the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Zone. Both were recommendations from our hotel.

Tianbo Mansion

Tianbo Mansion is a set of rock formation visible within the park. A trail beginning near the Yuanjiajie cable car station leads hikers to the beautiful views. We started this hike early, so the trail wasn’t overly crowded. It leads down the mountain and then off to the side where it climbs a rock formation to reach the view of the mansion.

The trail, after it leaves the main descent, narrows and gets much more interesting. Part of it squeezes through some super tight spaces between rocks and around ledges. Eventually, metal wrung bridges and ladders lead up to the top of a rock for the view of the mansion. It got very congested at this point because there was limited room for movement and precarious trails to traverse. Going to the top is nice, but personally, I think the views and experience are better from the small trail that wraps around the rock tower.

Tianzi Mountain

We took a shuttle bus back to the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Zone. Similar to the trail with Hallelujah Mountain and the “Most Peculiar Bridge,” the viewpoints closest to the top are ridiculously crowded. The views are spectacular, but the jostling crowds can be off-putting.

After a quick lunch, we began our downward climb toward Ten-Mile Gallery. The Trail is stairs, lots and lots of stairs going down. It splits at one point. We chose to take what was supposed to be the more exciting and difficult of the two because it was supposed to have chain ladders, metal bridges, and the like. However, the trail has been made more accessible and probably safer with lots and lots of stairs.

A lot of our hiking took place during Chinese lunch time, so the trail wasn’t too crowded until around 1:30 when the tour groups started ending their lunches. Crowds picked up all the way to the bottom, not like at the top, but not peaceful like you want when hiking in nature.

Ten-Mile Gallery

Another reason we took the “harder” trail down was to go through the Ten-Mile Gallery back to the shuttle station. We took the little tram, as recommended by many others, only to our disappointment. The views weren’t that great and we couldn’t do it at our own pace. We had just climbed down a mountain, we could have walked another mile or so on a level path (the trail isn’t ten miles, that’s just a hyperbolic name). That would have allowed for us to enjoy the scenery better.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is spectacular. I would go back and explore more of its wonders. I would also try to figure out when the lowest number of tourist is there and plan my trip according to that.

]]>http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/08/15/day-2-in-zhangjiajie-tianbo-mansion-and-ten-mile-gallery/feed/011603Zhangjiajie – Yuanjiajie Scenic Areahttp://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/08/03/zhangjiajie-yuanjiajie-scenic-area/
http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/08/03/zhangjiajie-yuanjiajie-scenic-area/#respondThu, 03 Aug 2017 01:23:29 +0000http://www.adventurepatches.com/?p=11572Yuanjiajie, our next destination within the park, and final for the day, is probably the most popular and crowded section of the park. Hordes of bus tours crowded the trails squawking and barking and littering their way through. There were … Continued

]]>Yuanjiajie, our next destination within the park, and final for the day, is probably the most popular and crowded section of the park. Hordes of bus tours crowded the trails squawking and barking and littering their way through. There were occasional moments of calm, but for the most part, visiting this area is an exercise in meditation to tune out those around you and just appreciate the beauty of nature before you.

Hallelujah Mountain

There is a reason the masses flood Yuanjiajie. The views are spectacular. The trail is perched right on top of the cliff overlooking the karst forest scenery. This is also the part of the park with Hallelujah Mountain, a stone column renamed after the popularity of Avatar. After all, the scenery of Pandora, park officials claim, was inspired in part by Zhangjiajie even though James Cameron says it was Huangshan in Anhui that receives that praise.

Whether the scenery inspired a contrived story’s scenery or not doesn’t matter and shouldn’t be what draws you to this place. The stone column now named after a fictional floating mountain would still be magnificent if it were just name Stone Pillar #378.

Number 1 Bridge

Another point of interest in this section of the park is the “World’s No. 1 Bridge.” The moniker changed to various other English translations on signs along the path. However, nowhere along the way did it say in what way this was the number 1 or best natural bridge in the world. A sign at the bridge tried to explain, but it still wasn’t clear in what way it was the “First Bridge on Earth.”

The natural bridge is large and beautiful, but according to The Natural Arch and Bridge Society I’m not sure this would even be considered a bridge, which is a kind of natural arch formed primarily by water erosion of a current of water flowing under it. What’s ironic is the natural arch/bridge that is considered to the largest in the world is in China, but it is in Guangxi Province. It is called Fairy Bridge.

Anyway, the “First Bridge under the Sun” is spectacular, especially with clouds and mist cutting through it. This is, however, an extremely crowded point on the trail. You can walk across the bridge and up the peak it connects to. This offers some less crowded views as well.

Wulingyuan

From here, we hopped on one of the many shuttle buses within the park headed to the Wulingyuan neck of the woods. We took the cable car down and another shuttle to the park gate at this little city. Our hotel was a five minute walk from the gate and there is fantastic food all around. It was time for some rest and sleep before hitting the trails early the next day.

]]>Slender stone columns reach out of canyons lush with forest transporting visitors to an otherworldly natural wonderland. It inspires the mind to think of alien landscapes from science fiction or the ethereal and mystical images from traditional Chinese ink paintings. This fantasy scenery is a reality at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province and is a spectacular experience for any adventurer.

Zhangjiajie is China’s first national park. This probably explains why many things are named Yellowstone in Chinese. The forest park is part of the larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Huangshi Village – A Walk in the Clouds

Day one in the park began at the south side after a bus ride from the city of Zhangjiajie, about 40 minutes away. Rain sprinkled sporadically and clouds were heavy. When we arrived at the park, we started getting glimpses of the karst formations from the bottoms. Clouds were drifting around their capitals and the forest sang with wildlife.

After a short shuttle ride, our first destination within the park was Huangshi (yellowstone) Village. A short cable car ride took us to the top of a large stone platform passing through a collection of stone pillars on the way. At the top, a trail loops around the edge of the mesa offering spectacular views of the stone forest. Being a rainy day didn’t allow for grand vistas. Instead, we saw fantastical views of ghosting columns through wispy flowing clouds.

Along the short hike we were happy to come across some of the wildlife including monkeys, massive toads, and itsy bitsy frogs. Wild animals are a rare sight in China, let alone in Beijing.

Winding Along Golden Whip Stream

Our next destination in the park was Golden Whip Stream and the trail that meanders beside it. The stream winds along the floor of the park with magnificent stone formations on either side.

As we approached the trail, I saw a monkey sitting on top of a no smoking sign. I wanted to take a picture. As I raised my camera to snap the image, the monkey screeched in agitation and started at me. Not wanting to be a monkey attack victim, I quickly retreated, lost my footing on a slippery step down, and fell hard on my back. Bruised and scraped up, I was unmauled by the angry little cretin and ready to limp down the path.

The stream was beautiful. Mist hung in the air over the water and clouds wove their way through the spires and peaks on the sides. It was magical … until the crowds started picking up. This is China. There are lots of people here, but sometimes there are just too many in the same place as you. In a national park, you hope it isn’t going to be too crowded, but in China you have to expect it to be.

For the most part, our walk along the stream was absolutely lovely. Most of the time, the crowds were sparse and the weather was just right. However, there was another monkey incident with a fellow trail walker carrying a bag of snacks. The monkey walked right up and snatched it from her hands. My hiking companion was quick-thinking and shooed the monkey away with his umbrella so that the little thief only got one bag of cookies instead of the whole booty.

At the end of this trail, we found our way to the giant elevator that climbs to the top of another large rock formation for the next part of our adventure.

]]>http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/08/01/zhangjiajie-national-forest-park/feed/011553Manila Philippineshttp://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/06/06/manila-philippines/
http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/06/06/manila-philippines/#respondTue, 06 Jun 2017 01:42:10 +0000http://www.adventurepatches.com/?p=11502Manila, is great! It is humid and hot, but I lucked out and didn’t have to deal with any rainstorms where I was. It’s a big city that isn’t the easiest to get around unless you know it like the … Continued

]]>Manila, is great! It is humid and hot, but I lucked out and didn’t have to deal with any rainstorms where I was. It’s a big city that isn’t the easiest to get around unless you know it like the locals. There aren’t any major bus routes that are easy to use, and the light rail service only has three lines. Jeepneys seem to go everywhere, but how to really use them I have no idea. Also, they let off the worst exhaust and are packed like sardine tins.

Intramuros

Anyway, my first day I spent wandering around the old city called Intramuros. This is the oldest part of the city where the Spanish settled. Unfortunately, most of the colonial era buildings were destroyed during WWII. Some parts of the wall, part of the old fort, and a single old church remain of the old Spanish architecture. They have done a lot of rebuilding since and have made it look similar to the original buildings, but it isn’t quite the same.

They highlight of what I saw in Intramuros were the churches. The Philippines are extremely Catholic. There are big churches everywhere. The Jeepneys have religious slogans and icons painted on them, and many people go to mass once or twice a day.

San Agustin

The most special of these is San Agustin, a UNESCO World Heritage site. With Chinese lions flanking the doors, It is the only surviving colonial-era building in Manila at almost 500 years old. During WWII, it housed the Japanese and some of their prisoners. Then the emancipating Americans used it for a bit before moving operations to the old fort. Over the centuries, the treasures of the church have been looted and destroyed by different invading forces including the British, Americans, Japanese, and Americans again (taking it back from the Japanese at the end of the war).

The church is attached to a monastery and convent. Today, many of the large rooms of these historic spaces display different aspects of the church’s and its adherents’ lives. This gave a fascinating look into the art and ceremonies of the church. The sanctuary has beautiful trompe l’oeil paintings on the ceiling adding a rich detail. Otherwise, it is very simple.

Manila Cathedral

Nearby is the Manila Cathedral. The site has been home to many, many other iterations of this building. The most recent is post-war construction, but still carries character of the older colonial style. The inside is rather plain, but the stained glass is beautiful.

Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant

Before my short trip to Manila, I asked a Filipino friend if she recommended anything to do or eat. One thing she said I should try is Barbara’s, one of a handful of heritage restaurants in Intramuros. Being right across the street from San Agustin and having arrived at the church right at the beginning of the noon lunch break, I enjoyed the lunch buffet at Barbara’s. It was delicious!

The food is a bit fusion with influences from Spanish and Chinese cuisine. Of course, it had its own island flare to it. In addition to the yummy lunch in the charming atmosphere, a small band wandered and serenaded as they would in Spain or Mexico. They played songs in three languages I heard. It was a nice addition to already very good food.

Fort Santiago

I also visited Fort Santiago, which is pretty much ruins today. However, it holds a special place in the heart of the Filipinos because of their hero Rizal. He was a revolutionary at the end of the 19th century, just before America beat Spain and took over. He was imprisoned at the fort and led to his execution from there. So, today, it is a shrine to him and his story.

Outside the Walls

San Lorenzo Cathedral

However, my other favorite of the churches I saw was San Lorenzo in nearby Chinatown. The murals there are beautiful including a series of diamond-shaped paintings up the center depicting simply the life of Christ. There are other beautiful paintings around the rest of the sanctuary. The altar piece is also lovely.

Rizal Park

The whole of Manila radiates out from Rizal Park. Similar to the Washington Mall or Tiananmen Square, this public space is surrounded by museums and government buildings. At the north end is a map of the Philippine Islands. There is a monumental statue to the people, lovely fountains and plantings, and other small gardens.

Manila Temple

My highlight in Manila was the LDS temple in Quezon City. Monday night I had a taxi driver take me to the temple to see it at night. Then, from my hotel window, I could see it at the top of the hill. Tuesday, I spent the morning doing service there before heading to the airport. It was wonderful!

]]>http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/06/06/manila-philippines/feed/011502Kuala Lumpur, Malaysiahttp://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/27/kuala-lumpur-malaysia/
http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/27/kuala-lumpur-malaysia/#respondSat, 27 May 2017 14:20:03 +0000http://www.adventurepatches.com/?p=11498My adventure to Malaysia was only a couple of days, so I didn’t venture very far from Kuala Lumpur or KL. This is the capital city of Malaysia, but it isn’t very old, less than 200 years old. MUD Honestly, … Continued

]]>My adventure to Malaysia was only a couple of days, so I didn’t venture very far from Kuala Lumpur or KL. This is the capital city of Malaysia, but it isn’t very old, less than 200 years old.

MUD

Honestly, I didn’t know much about this city before going. As chance would have it, I came across “Mud,” a musical production telling the story of KL. As I was wondering around Merdeka Square in the center of town, I saw the old theater and banners for the production. I bought a ticket for the last night of its three-year run. It was a fun show.

I learned about the tin mining past of Kuala Lumpur. In the early 1900s, a fire destroyed the city followed by flooding. That didn’t stop the people from persevering and rebuilding. This time, though, they did it with bricks. Some of those buildings are still standing today. The most historic are those surrounding Merdeka Square.

Merdeka Square

The most recognizable building at the square has a magnificent clock tower overlooking the former cricket pitch. This square is where the formal ceremony ending British rule over Malaysia took place. At one end of the square is a big flag pole. On all sides are historic buildings—government buildings, museums, and a church.

When I was there, some major construction was underway as well. They are currently, working to revitalize the downtown area by creating a destination river walk. It will go by the historic Jamek Mosque next to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the one with the clock tower.

Kampung Baru

This neighborhood of KL has a fine assortment of traditional style wood homes. It has a very different feel from the downtown areas of Chinatown or the areas around the Petronas Twin Towers. I only got a short time wandering these streets because the afternoon thunderstorm came a little early.

Thean Hou Temple

Thean Hou Temple is a large Buddhist temple on a hill in KL. It isn’t very old or historic, but it is lovely and is a good insight into Chinese culture in Malaysia. The architecture is more of the southern style than that of the Ming style of Beijing. Spectacular colored tile dragons and phoenixes crown the eaves and rows of lanterns cast shadow pearls on the courtyard.

By the front entrance is a small garden of the Chinese zodiac animals and a statue diorama of Buddha. Up the hill behind the temple is a fascinating statuary walk highlighting several points of filial piety as found in Confucianism. Some of the scenarios are downright disturbing, and in today’s society would be considered abuse.

Islamic Art Museum of Malaysia

With the rain, I wanted to find an indoor activity, so I ended up at the Islamic Art Museum of Malaysia. The museum has a nice collection of artifacts and paraphernalia. However, I think the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha was much better put together and presented. My favorite gallery of this museum has a collection of models. These models are of famous mosques and unique Islamic architecture from around the world.

Masjid Jamek – National Mosque

Across the street from the Islamic Art Museum of Malaysia is the National Mosque. It is an interesting piece of architecture being very modern in style. For the most part it is a large raised pavilion with the main prayer hall in the center. I had to wait to go in since you have to be properly attired. I was in shorts, and therefore, not appropriately dressed. I had to wait for a loaner robe from another visitor when he or she left. I didn’t want to wait around though when a busload of Chinese tourists showed up. I pulled out a piece of fabric I bought at the museum and wrapped it around as a sarong.

National Textile Museum

My last stop before heading back to the airport was the National Textile Museum. Located in one of the historic buildings near Merdeka Square, this free museum give a fantastic insight into the textiles of Malaysia including its famous batik dying techniques.

One gallery on the first floor has displays of how various textiles are made. The other galleries house beautiful collections of many of these textiles highlighting specific regions and their peculiarities.

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple

On my way back to the hotel to get my stuff, I popped into this old Taoist temple of KL. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city.

Overall, KL is a lovely city worth visiting. The architecture is fantastic and the culture a brilliant mix of Chinese, Indian, and Malay. Food is delicious, and transport around the city simple.

]]>http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/27/kuala-lumpur-malaysia/feed/011498Batu Caveshttp://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/26/batu-caves/
http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/26/batu-caves/#respondFri, 26 May 2017 13:51:06 +0000http://www.adventurepatches.com/?p=11463Malaysia is made up of a mixed, diverse group of people. Being a former British colony, many Indians found their way to Kuala Lumpur bringing, among other things, Hinduism. Just outside of KL is one of the most famous Hindu … Continued

]]>Malaysia is made up of a mixed, diverse group of people. Being a former British colony, many Indians found their way to Kuala Lumpur bringing, among other things, Hinduism. Just outside of KL is one of the most famous Hindu sites in the world, Batu Caves. Easily accessible by commuter train, these limestone caverns make for a fun excursion.

The Temple Cave

The site consists of several temples and attractions. Many of which are by paid admission. The main cave is free of charge other than the exertion to climb the nearly 300 steps up. The entrance is an impressive image with the titanic statue of Lord Murugan standing guard. He is the largest statue of his kind in the world. Then again, I don’t know how many large statues of Lord Murugan have been erected in the world.

At the end of the 19th century, after Chinese immigrants had been harvesting guano for fertilizer for a few decades, an Indian merchant decided to dedicate a temple in the cave to Lord Murugan. Since then, more temples have been built in and around as well as many shrines.

The cave itself is a large limestone cavern with partially collapsed walls and ceiling, which opened the space to the outside. Being limestone, water is still seeping through the rock in some places pretty fast causing a bit of rain in some places. Since it is so open-air, there are not a lot of cave formations. Instead he floor has been paved and niches carved out for statues.

The Dark Cave

In the same hill, just around a curve is another cave. It isn’t as big and open as the main cave, but it is just as interesting if not more so. This is the Dark Cave. It is preserved in a natural state to teach about cave ecology and promote conservation.

Just before the temple cave was selected for a temple, naturalists were exploring and documenting the caves at this site. Since then, they’ve discovered some unique animals that are only found there including a variety of trapdoor spider. Other inhabitants include bats, both insectivorous and vegetarian, and other crawly critters.

They call it the Dark Cave because it is dark inside. Lights were never installed and guests only enter with a tour led by flashlight. There is a paved walkway that was installed a few decades ago, otherwise the cave is still in a very natural state.

I could hear the bats overhead and see them swoop around by some of the skylights. We walked by guano pits, saw spiders and funky looking, tiny millipedes. At the back of the cave, we were led to a big opening where plants had grown down into the cave. I’m glad I paid and waited for this tour. I thought it was more interesting than the temple cave.

Monkeys

The hill is also home to some monkeys. They climb up and down the steps hoping for some food. Even with signs all over saying not to feed the monkeys, people still bring snacks to share, mostly fruit. Monkeys are cute but also a little scary when up close and they are being defensive of their treat or territory.

In true KL fashion, just as I was leaving, a thunderstorm was rolling in. I hurried back to the train station and waited to return to the city.

]]>http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/26/batu-caves/feed/011463KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towershttp://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/25/kl-tower-petronas-twin-towers/
http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/25/kl-tower-petronas-twin-towers/#respondThu, 25 May 2017 12:03:09 +0000http://www.adventurepatches.com/?p=11440Have I ever shared how much I like going to the top of tall buildings? I don’t really know why. This is why the first things I did in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were to ascend to the top of KL … Continued

]]>Have I ever shared how much I like going to the top of tall buildings? I don’t really know why. This is why the first things I did in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were to ascend to the top of KL Tower or Menara Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas Twin Towers.

Rain Forest in the City

To get to the KL Tower, I had to go through a small clump of rain forest. The internet made it seem like this little patch of nature was a bit bigger and a bit wilder. I was disappointed to find that it was merely a small city park that had some rain forest qualities. There is, however, a fun canopy walk that can take you from the bottom part of the park to the top near the tower.

KL Tower

This broadcast tower stands atop a rain forest covered hill in the heart of Malaysia’s capital city. It isn’t the tallest structure, but due to its location is feels and looks like it. It definitely offers spectacular views in all directions. I took advantage of this view as long as I could, but it wasn’t long enough. I was forced inside and down to the lower observation deck after just a few minutes of being on top because of the weather.

The upper observation deck is open-air and completely exposed. When the lighting started striking and the thunder booming just meters from the tower, we were ushered inside by whistle-blowing personnel. I got to look all around, but didn’t get to go out on the skybox on the side of the twin towers before we were rushed back inside.

The lower observation level was a bit more crowded. The views a more obstructed with the beams of the tower crisscrossing the windows. However, this was a fantastic place to watch a torrential afternoon thunderstorm.

Petronas Twin Towers

From the Menara, I took a cab to the Petronas Twin Towers. It was still rainy, otherwise I would have walked. While I waited for my tour time, I wandered the mall at the base of the towers. Eventually, my time came and I eagerly checked in.

These towers are the tallest twin towers in the world, with the 2001 attack and collapse of the World Trade Center twin towers in New York City. They are also some of the most iconic skyscrapers in the world. People may not know exactly where they are, but they will have seen them before.

Their design comes from Islamic architecture, and their lighting is spectacular. One of the most recognizable features of the Petronas Twin Towers is the double-decker bridge that spans the gap to connect the two towers. The tour guide mentioned a few times that this is the highest bridge of its kind in the world.

After visiting the bridge for a few minutes, the group is escorted to the observation deck at the top of one of the towers. This observation area boasts grand views in almost all directions. I was at the top at night, so my views were limited to what was lit up. Personally, my favorite view was of the other tower. At this vantage point, you could really see the detail of the buildings including the spire. The KL Tower was also visible in its glowing lantern-like state.

Looking Up

I went down and to the front to get some pictures of the towers outside. It had stopped raining and the view was fabulous! I also made my way back a couple of days later to see the towers during the day. For this I went to the back of the towers where a vast park sprawls with a dancing fountain and more great views of this iconic piece of architecture.

]]>http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/25/kl-tower-petronas-twin-towers/feed/011440MacLehose Trail – Hong Kong GeoParkhttp://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/23/maclehose-trail-hong-kong-geopark/
http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/23/maclehose-trail-hong-kong-geopark/#respondMon, 22 May 2017 23:51:25 +0000http://www.adventurepatches.com/?p=11294On my most recent trip to Hong Kong, I accompanied a friend from Beijing to the LDS temple for his first time. It was a glorious experience. I am glad I was able to be there to support him. That … Continued

]]>On my most recent trip to Hong Kong, I accompanied a friend from Beijing to the LDS temple for his first time. It was a glorious experience. I am glad I was able to be there to support him.

That took place on a Saturday, but my normal weekend off of work is Sunday and Monday. Consequently, I stayed in Hong Kong for a couple days longer than my companions. One of the big things I wanted to do was go hiking. I researched a few trails and chose one, the Dragon’s Backbone trail in Shek O Park. Then on the morning of, I changed my mind and chose a different one, MacLehose Trail in Sai Kung Country Park and Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark.

MacLehose Trail

This trail essentially goes around the High Island Reservoir. Public transportation got me to the entrance of the country park and near the trailhead. What I didn’t realize when I started is that most of the first leg of this hike is on a paved service road along the west and south sides of the lake. It makes it really easy though not very shady.

Geopark

The trail crosses both of the reservoir’s dams. The second of which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hong Kong Geopark. This is one of the reasons I chose this trail. I had looked at visiting the geopark the last several times I visited Hong Kong. However, everything I saw said you had to go on a boat tour to experience the park. And, the boat tours are not cheap. When I saw that I could hike to part of it, I decided I would do it.

Approaching the second dam, you can see a spectacular looking cliff on the other side of the reservoir. It looks a bit like organ pipes. This is the first glimpse of some truly magnificent geological formations. At the dam, there is a trail that leads down to see the hexagonal rock columns up close. Interpretive signs explain the forces that made them and more. It is pretty impressive.

Leaving the Road

At this point, I had already hiked for a couple of hours and several kilometers. I was tired, and starting to get a little red. However, the options I had were limited. I could walk back the way I came – boring! I could try to get a cab – too much trouble and too expensive. Or, I could continue on MacLehose Trail off the road and into the scrub.

I chose the latter. I started up the next part of the trail. It wasn’t too bad. It was quite lovely with the green shrubs on both sides of the path. I got to the top of this first little hill pretty quickly. From there I saw some amazing views of a quaint little bay tucked between the park’s peninsulas. Again, I made the decision to keep going. I wanted to reach the lovely beach I could see down at the head of the bay.

Long Ke Bay

I climbed down the hill toward the bay. Mesmerized by a paraglider, I stopped many times to watch. Eventually, I made it down. The sand felt good on my feet as I strolled shoeless along the beach. It was so quiet. The only ways onto the beach are by boat or hiking. Behind the beach is a rehab facility for boys. This seems like a good place for rehab. Again, I made the choice to continue rather than going back the way I came.

Section Two

From this point, the second section of the MacLehose Trail begins. This part of the trail is much more rugged and extreme than the first part. The path climbs right up the side of the islands peaks going up and over them. There is very little tree cover, so the sun beats down. At the top of some of the peaks, there are some spectacular views, but I was getting really sore and tired at this point just wanting to find the end of the trail.

When I did, I was so happy until I found out the bus that could take me back had stop running about two hours earlier. The trail took much longer than I expected. It was dusk, and darkness was coming fast, but my only option was to walk back to the entrance of the park and find a bus stop with routes back to town. Thankfully, Hong Kong doesn’t have any wild beasts to be scared of in the wilderness at night. However, I was pretty cantankerous at this point, and could have scared off any would be predators.

The End

I eventually reached the main road again and found a bus stop. The bus got me back to town safely. Even though I was pretty sunburnt and super sore, I am glad I took this magnificent trail. I should have prepared a little better to know what I was really getting into. I also saw some wildlife. Including a lizard (maybe a water dragon) dueling with a cat and lots of kites along the edge of the reservoir.

I would recommend the hike, however, unlike just about every website out there, I would not recommend starting with section one on the road by the reservoir. I would recommend taking the bus to the end of section two where I left the trail. This is the more difficult portion and is better done first. Leave the easy, relatively flat portion of paved road for the end. Be sure to take plenty of water and snacks. I think next time I’m in HK with time to hike, I’ll try the Dragon’s Backbone in Shek O. Until then, adventure is out there, so go have one!

]]>http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/23/maclehose-trail-hong-kong-geopark/feed/011294Acropolis and Parthenonhttp://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/17/acropolis-and-parthenon/
http://www.adventurepatches.com/2017/05/17/acropolis-and-parthenon/#respondWed, 17 May 2017 00:54:50 +0000http://www.adventurepatches.com/?p=11244The crowning experience of our short visit to Athens was, of course, the Acropolis and Parthenon. We could see this architectural and historical gem from the roof of our hotel. Amazing! Acropolis Museum The outstanding Acropolis Museum sits at the … Continued

]]>The crowning experience of our short visit to Athens was, of course, the Acropolis and Parthenon. We could see this architectural and historical gem from the roof of our hotel. Amazing!

Acropolis Museum

The outstanding Acropolis Museum sits at the base of the Acropolis. It is designed to showcase the artifacts in a way resembling how they were found and originally displayed on the Acropolis. The museum begins the exhibits outside.

Athens is an ancient city. The city has layer on layer of settlement. Glass floors allow visitors to walk over and look down on the walls and foundations of those ancient buildings.

The sculptures in the museum are beautiful. We were with a guided tour getting fantastic insight into the figures we saw and the changes in style over time. We learned the history of the Parthenon and gazed upon some exquisite art.

The Parthenon Gallery

The top floor of the museum is slightly twisted to line up parallel to the actual Parthenon. It is also laid out in the same dimensions. The purpose of this is to give visitors the experience of walking up close and understanding the artifacts in relation to their true position. That’s because many of the architecture pieces were removed from the actual Parthenon and taken to the British Museum. This is a sore spot for the Greeks, and a sad chapter in history.

Anyway, the friezes and sculptures that were left, the Greeks replaced with replicas and put on display in the museum to be cleaned and protected. They are arranged exactly as found in the actual building and accompanied by reproductions of the ones taken by Elgin. I did enjoy being able to see the sculptures, including the pediment friezes, up close, but I would have preferred seeing them on the ancient edifice where they had stood miraculously for thousands of years.

Another great aspect of this museum and this exhibit are the views of the Acropolis.

The Caryatids

In addition to the Parthenon, on the Acropolis there are other buildings. One of the most famous has a side portico with very unique columns supporting the roof. These are the caryatids. They are columns in the form of women. They are beautiful! Elgin only took one, leaving the others in their proper place. However, they were moved to this museum in the name of conservation.

To me, this is a sad situation. They remained in their place on that hill top for thousands of years, and yet, we think we can preserve them better than they have over time without much help. And now, the actual temple on the Acropolis has fake, reproductions in the originals’ place.

The Acropolis and Parthenon

From the museum, we strolled around the Acropolis to the main entrance. We ascended, passing the lovely theater that clings to the hillside. My heart was pumping. I was so excited! I couldn’t believe that I was about to walk around the Parthenon. We walked up the steps that Greeks and Romans climbed. We passed through the gates that guarded this sacred place. And there it was.

For some, you may think, what is so special about these ruins. They look like all of the neo-classical buildings on college campuses and housing governments around America and the world. Well, if it weren’t for this building, you wouldn’t have that style.

This was one of the largest buildings of its kind, and it was perfect. Mathematically speaking, the Parthenon was perfect. Its design was unparalleled. And, it stood, pretty much intact for a couple thousand years. Most of the damage came in the last couple hundred years.

I was thrilled to finally experience this. I marveled at the beauty of simplicity. I also wondered why they were trying to restore it. I want them to just let it be.

The views from the Acropolis were pretty great too.

Mars Hill

view of the Acropolis from Mars Hill

Just outside the gate of the Acropolis, is Mars Hill. This was a place where people were ridiculed and judgements were cast. It is also famed as the site of Paul’s speech to the Athenians. Again, I was walking in the steps of the ancient apostles. I pulled out my Gospel Library app. and read from Acts chapter 17 Paul’s words including verse 26: “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.”

I enjoyed my time in Athens. I will probably return one day to experience the marvelous Parthenon and its surrounds again. I would love to watch a performance in the ancient theater at the foot of the Acropolis.

This ended our trip. The next morning, Aaron and I returned to Beijing via Istanbul and Kiev while our friend continued on to Israel for a week. I can’t state enough how much I loved Turkey. I encourage everyone to visit that magnificent place sometime in their life.